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Guidelines on contraception for girls under 16 in the UK.

A health professional can give contraceptive advice and treatment to someone under the age of sixteen, provided that they are satisfied that they are competent. Guidance on this was issued in 1985 as part of Lord Fraser’s judgement, following the House of Lords’ Ruling in the case of Victoria Gillick v. West Norfolk and Wisbech Health Authority and the Department of Health and Social Security. These are now referred to as the Fraser Guidelines, and although they relate specifically to contraception do apply to other treatments, including abortion in England and Wales.

The young person is competent to consent to contraceptive advice if

 The young person understands the doctor’s advice

 The doctor cannot persuade the young person to inform his or her parents or allow the doctor to inform the parents that s/he is seeking contraceptive advice

 The young person is very likely to begin or continue having intercourse with or without contraception

 The young person’s physical health or mental is likely to suffer if s/he does not receive contraceptive advice

 It is in the best interests of the young person to receive contraceptive advice without parental consent